Point Break

Point Break is exactly what a fun movie should be like. You've got the good cops and the bad surfers, throw in some social commentary, add cheesy lines and good action, have best friends become archenemies, and the result is a cult classic.

The basic story starts with a series of bank robberies being perpetuated by criminals wearing former Presidents' masks. Then the good cops are assigned to investigate, namely Keanu Reeves aka FBI Special Agent 'Johnny Utah' (what a great cop name) and Gary Busey. The villain is a mythical surfer dude named 'Bodhi' (a great villain name) played by Patrick Swayze. All three characters are larger than life - you actually believe they're real. And I'll go out on a limb to say that these are still the best roles that Reeves, Swayze, and Busey had ever played.

The chemistry between Utah and Busey's character is funny and intense. They gave Gary Busey all the funny lines, my favorite being "Utah, get me two!". Johnny Utah and Bodhi also have a special relationship, as friends and archenemy, sort of like Superman and Lex Luthor. Utah starts out as this Type A Mr. Stress personality, until he meets and befriends Bodhi, who teaches him a lot about his philosophy towards life.

Bodhi has a couple of great quotes in this film. He talks about people who "are inching their way on the freeways in their metal coffins". Before you know it, Utah realizes that his experiences with Bodhi has made him a different person. Bodhi just might be the best movie villain of all time. I both hated and liked him at the same time.

Since Keanu Reeves is in this one, there's the obligatory corny stuff and corny acting. But it works! Everything just feels right. In fact, this might be Keanu's best role to date (better than Neo even). Busey's character and Swayze's over the top persona makes sure you don't take the story too seriously.

The action scenes are real fun too. There's a Johnny Utah - Bodhi chase scene which ends in some of the worst Keanu Reeves overacting (but trust me, it's good). There's a botched FBI raid which ends with a naked woman beating up an agent. And topped with the kamikaze skydiving scene.

It's one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen. My only regret is not having watched this back in 1991.

Rating: 5/5 * * * * *
"Simple masses inching along the freeway"